Happy unbirthday: Little Aggies kick-off activities
Balloon games, birthday stories along with cake and ice cream is what Little Aggies had on their mind for the hour of activities, Saturday, in Utah State University’s Bookstore.
“Everyone likes birthdays,” said Rachel Holmes, an undeclared sophomore and Little Aggies Activities coordinator. “So we had our theme be ‘Happy Un-birthday.”
Little Aggie Activities are held each month and is designed for children and parents to spend time together and it’s free, she said.
This month birthday stories were read during story telling, which opened up the activities. Then the participants were invited to go outside and play games, which involved popping balloons, which many of the children did as they looked for more to inflate.
A relay race was another event; the Little Aggies ran with balloons in their hand then hopped back while squeezing the balloon between their knees, once they returned they’d sit on it and to finish, the balloon had to be no more.
“I liked doing the relay races with balloons,” Dylan Leiker, a seven-year-old participant, said. “I’d run with the balloon then come back to pop it.”
Holmes said she thought of all her childhood birthday activities then added them to the list of events.
Whittney Barlow, a freshman majoring in elementary education, was a volunteer for the activities and was playing a role of the stop light during one event.
She stood in front of the contestants and turned her back while yelling the green light, participants ran until she shouted “red light,” the children would stop and laugh until the winner got to Barlow.
“I had fun,” she said. “I liked watching the kids and seeing the reaction on their faces.”
Barlow said the activities are good for her because she loves working with children and loves to read. It will also prepare her for her major, by interacting with children now, she said.
After the events, Holmes brought out cupcakes and ice cream for the participants. The cupcakes were decorated with football rings and faces of the children were soon covered in frosting.
Trina Paskett, a resident of Nibley, said this was her first time at the activities and she likes the college interaction her two daughters are getting.
“They are really enjoying it,” she said. “It’s educational and they get a taste of the college experience.”
Holmes said the activities are geared towards getting families to be active together and showing children reading can be fun. She said those who do come will get 20 percent off of children clothes and children books throughout the school year.
“It’s always fun and everyone is welcome,” she said.
Next month the Little Aggie Activities will be held on Oct. 16, with the theme of ‘All About Pumpkins’.
On the Web:
http://www.bookstore.usu.edu/outerweb/trade/little_aggie/little_fallspring.asp
-srkrebs@cc.usu.edu